44% of Britons are suffering from stress

Nearly half (44%) of respondents are currently suffering with stress, according to research by healthcare insurer Bupa.

Its research, which surveyed more than 10,000 Britons, found that 28% have experienced stress for more than a year, and that 27% regularly feel close to breaking point.

The research has been published to coincide with National Stress Awareness Day, which is 6 November.

The main causes of stress identified by respondents include money worries (20%), followed by day-to-day working (18%), family life (8%) and living with long-term illness (7%).

The research also found stress levels to be most prevalent among female respondents, with nearly half (49%) stressed compared to 39% of men.

Stress is also prevalent among 45-to-54 year olds, with 50% revealing that they are stressed, while just over a third (38%) of over-55s currently feel stressed.

The research also found:

More people in the Midlands admitted to being stressed (46%) than any other region.

Of those respondents that feel stressed, only 61% would only seek help if they cannot cope with daily life.

Doctor Martin Baggaley, medical director at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This research shows stress is extremely common in this country. It’s concerning to see that so many people are experiencing sustained and relentless stress.

Lets stop working 8 hours a day then.. The people have fought time and time again for lower work hours in years gone by, it’s time for another one. It’s not 9-5 for any special reason, it can and should be changed.

Most of the reasons why we are observing increasing levels of stress related illness, is down to how employees are managed. Employers must wake-up to fact, that whilst the ‘bottom line’ figures are important – increasing workers hours, not having policies and procedures in place to help people who are feeling the extra demands placed on them will end up as a cost to the business.